I understand that protesters feel that China needs to step up its civil and human rights stance, if it wants to be a world power and serve as host of the Olympics. But if we're going to make that demand every time, there are only about 3 countries that will be able to host, and the US ain't one of them.
People! the point is that the Olympics are a time to share in true sportsmanship and honest, good-natured competition, despite differences, or more truthfully, BECAUSE of them. Real communication and exchange are supposed to start from this event, and therefore precipitate change and/or bring enemies together afterword. Expecting 1st world principles of equality and welfare from them, as well as political acquiescence, before they've even had a chance to mow the grass on the field, is a bit like putting the cart before the horse.
Boycotting the Olympics and/or disrupting the ceremonies and games is akin to saying, "if you don't do what I tell you to do, I'm taking my ball and I'm going home!"
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It's not so much that everyone wanted the PRC to "step up", although that would've been nice.
It was the deliberate steps backwards -- ratcheting up the brutality in Tibet, continuing to support the butchers in Darfur (and continuing to block the UN from getting involved), and even the small step of throwing Olympic television out of Tienanmen Square -- that have provoked the outrage.
The PRC doesn't give a damn.
So why should the world legitimize them?
That said, I don't want to see a boycott, either. They're useless. Let the athletes compete (as much as they can in Beijing's foul air). But I have no problem with what British Prime Minister Brown is doing -- skipping the opening ceremonies, which are about glorifying the host country as much as they are about the athletes. I doubt President Bush would do something like that -- it would involve independent thought and an understanding of world issues, neither of which he is known to have -- but one can hope.
The PRC wanted these Games for the same reason Nazi Germany wanted the 1936 games. Legitimacy. At least the politicians can deny that much.
And it's not like any of this is new. How long ago did the PRC leave blood on Tienanmen? How long ago did they run the Dalai Lama out of Tibet?
Sorry, Ginger... the PRC sowed this, and now they're reaping the whirlwind.
First of all, OF COURSE the opening ceremonies will glorify that country. Do you have any idea how embarrassed I was for my country when they drove those chrome Chevy pick-ups out on the field for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics? People in China were like, "What the hell is that?"
Second of all, ask yourself - if we had protested/boycotted the 1936 Nazy Olympics, would Hitler have sat back and thought, "Wow, I guess they don't think I'm legitimate. Maybe I should change?" I will admit that going to the 1936 Olympics didn't bring about positive change, if you will admit that protesting these Olympics won't either.
Sorry, that's NazI.
No, a boycott wouldn't make the PRC change anything, which is why I don't think the athletes should boycott (and I hope governments don't force that).
On the other hand, if the politicians don't go to the Opening Ceremonies, it simply sends a message to the PRC that the world knows what they're doing. The world may be powerless to stop it, but our leaders won't condone it by showing up at their party.
Yes, it's a weak gesture.
It's also the only one available that doesn't hurt uninvolved people -- the athletes.
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